AthLeteS and ALS

ALS here in the United States is often referred to as "Lou Gehrig's disease", named for the "Iron Horse" of American baseball.  When Gehrig gave that iconic farewell speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4th of 1939, I wonder, was there any consideration given to the possibility of athleticism being a factor associated with developing ALS? 

Since being diagnosed in 2002 before age 40, I certainly didn't come anywhere near being called an athlete at any point in my life; a season of high school freshman football, B-team AMMO softball in the Air Force, you get my drift. But what about that time in my youth as a  lanky teen playing sandlot football, when I was knocked out after butting heads with an opponent?

Since diagnosis, I have seen all manner of possible links to developing the disease, and the athletes being diagnosed has me intrigued for some reason. Some of the theories:

• smoking

• military service 

• immunizations 

• trauma / concussion 

• major surgery / spinal 

• blue-green algae

• heavy metals accumulation 

• water contaminants 

• genetic defect , hereditary and non hereditary 

• pesticides 

• athleticism??

Here's my list of athletes who have been diagnosed with ALS:

Bob Waters, football, Presbyterian, SF 49ers 
Bruce Edwards, golf, (caddie)
Charlie Wedemeyer, football, Michigan State University
Dandy Oskey, soccer, Oakland (MI) University 
Dwight Clark football, Clemson, San Francisco 49ers 
Eric Scoggins, football, SF 49ers, LA Express, Houston Gamblers (USFL) 
Fiona Vlasblom, Cycling, Roller Derby
Fred McNeill football, UCLA, Minnesota Vikings 
Glenn Montgomery, football, Houston, Houston Oilers, Seattle Seahawks 
Jeff Julian, golf
Jerome Golmard Tennis
Jim Barber, football, UCSB
Jim "Catfish" Hunter, baseball, A's, Yankees
Joost van der Westhuizen, rugby, South African Springboks
Kerry Goode, football, U. of Alabama, TB Buccaneers, Miami Dolphins
Kevin Thompson, Karate World Champion

Kevin Turner, football, Alabama, Patriots, Eagles

Lou Gehrig, football, baseball, Columbia U. (football scholarship), Yankees
Michael Lopez Jr., football, Oregon State, St. Louis Cardinals

OJ Brigance, football, Rice U., Lions, Stallions (CFL), Dolphins, Ravens, Rams, Patriots 
Orlando Thomas, football, University of Southwestern Louisiana (U. of Louisiana at Lafayette), Minnesota Vikings 
Peter Demmerle, football, Notre Dame 
Pete Duranko, football, Notre Dame, Denver Broncos  
Pete Frates, baseball, Boston College (Capt), Hamburg, Germany 
Rickey Dixon, football, Oklahoma Sooners, Cincinnati Bengals, L.A.  Raiders
Steve Gleason, football, New Orleans Saints
Steve Smith, football, Penn State, Raiders, Seahawks
Tim Shaw, football, Penn State, Panthers, Jaguars, Bears, Titans
Tom Kirchhoff, Lafayette, Philadelphia Eagles 
Tony Proudfoot, football, CFL, Montreal Alouettes, BC Lions 
Wally Hilgenberg, football, Iowa, Lions, Vikings 

In the famous 1966 10-10 tie between Michigan State and Notre Dame, each team had a player who developed ALS. MSU, #11, Charlie Wedemeyer. ND, #74, Pete Duranko.

•   Researchers Uncover a Common Link Between ALS and CTE
• Professional Football Players Have Higher ALS And Alzheimer's Death Risks
• Fighting for Themselves, Fighting for the Game 

• Grass and bare legs: Italian soccer ALS cluster

If you know of any other collegiate or professional athletes who have or may have ALS, please drop me a line.